For the third consecutive month, Ford's market share has increased, a feat primarily attributed to Ford's new offerings that are not only fuel-efficient and practical, but appealing to customers as well. The three-month increase appears to have been a long time coming, as Ford has not posted increased market share across a three-month span since 1997.
Ford currently estimates its market share at 14.6%, up 0.7 of a point compared with a year ago. The newly redesigned 2009 Ford F-150, which was named the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, has been seen as a critical player in helping Ford's sales. The F-150 accounted for 8600 of total F-Series sales in December, an increase of 84% compared with November 2008. Total F-Series sales for 2008 totaled more than half a million at 515,513 units, making the F-Series the best-selling truck and overall vehicle of 2008.
Since the F-150's introduction, it has won numerous accolades and awards, including being a finalist for the North American Truck of the Year and being named the "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association.
Ford's other hot item is its "people mover" -- the Flex crossover SUV -- which finished 2008 with its best sales month of 2685 sales. Recognized for its unique qualities, the Flex has the highest conquest rate of any Ford vehicle and is a finalist for the North American Car of the Year.
As the auto market shifts toward smaller vehicles, Ford is also putting increased emphasis on its Focus and Fusion passenger cars, which figure to play large roles in Ford's future.
Source: Ford Motor Company, PR Newswire